Washington

Our patients appreciate that we are leaders in cataract surgery technology. With the recent FDA approval, the Symfony lifestyle lens implant provides an extended depth-of-focus at near, distance and intermediate. Our surgeons are pleased to experience these wonderful results! Gerald Balamucki shares his impression just one day after surgery. Today he demonstrated the ability to read in the distance, intermediate and up close without glasses in the newly implanted eye.

(July 2, 2014 — Arlington, WA) Cascade Regional Eye Center, Inc., PS, dba The Harman Eye Clinic, located at 903 Medical Center Drive, the premier eye surgery center in the Pacific Northwest for over 30 years, has acquired a new owner. Bruce J. Ballon, MD has sold 50 percent of the practice to Bruce E. Wietharn, MD. The two doctors will alternately share the role of President and CEO annually in addition to their services as ophthalmologists and eye surgeons since 2002 and 2004 respectively.

The purchase of this practice reflects a long-term relationship built over the past decade. Each holds the gold-standard of excellence, confidence, depth and continuity in personal service. Their partner, Natalia V. Bajenova, MD, joined the practice in 2012 and is slated to purchase one-third of the practice in 2022.

Serving patients of the Pacific Northwest since 1984, The Harman Eye Clinic primarily provides advanced customized LASIK surgery as well as Refractive Multifocal Lens and Standard cataract surgery. Patients are customarily referred and co-managed through area eye doctors for surgery; however, patients may seek surgical solutions for their eye challenges through appointments.

This link leads to a presentation, a way to think about the choices in lens implants when having cataract surgery. We hope it is helpful for you also. The presentation is interactive in that you may advance forward, backward or even zoom into whatever interests you. Press play and the presentation will automatically advance … your choice. Thanks, Prezi.com!

Special custom lens implants. When considering cataract surgery,good candidates for special custom lens implants are patients who are highly motivated to be functionally free of glasses for reading, computer work and driving. A multifocal lens compensates for the eye’s inability to change shape by allowing the eye to see at distance and near simultaneously through the same optic. A good candidate has realistic expectations and understands that these lenses, while most effective, are not the same as the natural lens of a young person.

To help you prepare for your discussion with your surgeon the following categories of lens implants are presented with links to the specific lens implant patient education page.

A standard lens is designed to give you vision at one focal point. Most patients who choose a standard lens will have great vision for distance, but will require glasses for reading up close or even on a computer. This is considered a medically necessary procedure and is most commonly covered by your insurance company. Most commonly used, Tecnis IOL

Monovision. A few patients ask their surgeon to choose a standard lens correction with a target for one eye’s vision set for near and the other for distance vision. This is called “mono-vision”: One eye sees in the distance and one eye sees up close. When both eyes work together the brain decides which eye to pay attention to. This option is not for everyone. Those who have used contact lenses successfully with mono vision might be a happy candidate for this option, and those who have never heard of mono-vision would probably pass on this plan. Most commonly used, Tecnis IOL

Multifocal Lens. The advanced TECNIS® Multifocal is an implantable lens that restores vision after cataract surgery and corrects presbyopia (the need for reading glasses). It offers an excellent chance to become spectacle independent.

While most insurance companies will pay for the standard lens and will pay this portion for all patients no matter what lens is chosen, the multifocal patient will pay an additional fee for the presbyopia correcting function of the premium lens package. Tecnis Multifocal

PresbyopiaCorrecting Lens. The unique Crystalens is designed to allow you to enjoy a fuller, more natural range of vision for most activities, including: reading a book, working on the computer, and driving a car.

Crystalens was modeled after the human eye. Like the natural lens, it is a lens implant that uses the eye muscle to flex and accommodate in order to focus on objects in the environment at all distances. Crystalens dynamically adjusts to your visual needs. Crystalens AO

Astigmatism Correcting Lens. Today’s advances in medical technology allow eye surgeons to correct both cataracts and astigmatism at the same time. In many cases, this may reduce the need for eyeglasses. However, it is important to understand that since everyone’s vision, expectations, and lifestyles differ, it is difficult to determine how much you will be dependent on glasses after surgery. This discussion can take place with your surgeon. Trulign Toric, AMO Toric Lens, AcrySof Toric Lens

For more information visit our website or call us at 800.755.3937.A comprehensive evaluation for cataract surgery now takes up to 2 hours. It is time well spent when so many options for your future may be explored in light of your daily activities, your general health, the health and uniqueness of your eye anatomy and best of all building a relationship with your surgeon.

Erica is a princess, …really. Well, she is a princess on weekends. Yet we are fortunate enough to have her transform into an ophthalmic technician during the week. Yes, during the week Erica provides extraordinary care as an ophthalmic tech. She is a Medical Assistant, Registered with the State of Washington. This week, Erica passed her JCAPHO Certification test for Ophthalmic Assistant. …a little background.

Whenever we interview potential candidates as ophthalmic assistants, we place as much importance on the ability to relate to our patients as if each patient were their family members as we do to their technical skills. We call it extraordinary care. We say, “champion the patient and never go wrong.” We say, “every patient, every time.” And when we find people who understand our culture, we snatch them up and train them in the fine art of ophthalmic assisting. Such was the case with Erica.

Our technician supervisor, under the direction of our doctors, is responsible for training the skills needed to become a technician. However, the candidate will spend time in every department: billing and medical coding, infection control, surgery center, patient coordination, and with the compliance officer, to establish a firm foundation for a most rewarding future for both the candidate and our patients. Our technician supervisor, permits the candidate to perform a portion of our patient’s exam only when they have been “signed-off” by the supervisor as proficient.

There’s more. Our practice enrolls the candidate into Ophthalmic Medical Assisting: An Independent Study Course This course is published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Enhancements in this revision include two new chapters: Refractive Surgery Concepts & Procedures, and Understanding Practice Management; revised chapters and glossary incorporating new evidence-based information and groundbreaking technologies; and 37 procedures explained in detail. The 368-page textbook is in full color, and the examination booklet contains 200 multiple-choice questions.

The candidate receives assistance from the doctors and staff, but the hands-on exposure creates invaluable training towards success. Candidates are expected to study, ask questions, share and most of all, listen to our patient needs and, most important, act as liaisons to our doctors.

JCAHPO Certification is earned through testing. An ophthalmic assistant must have graduated from high school or equivalent; successfully completed an approved independent study course (e.g., JCAHPO Independent Study Course (JCAT) or the American Academy of Ophthalmology Independent Study Course) within the 36 months prior to submitting an exam application. and been employed at least 1,000 hours (six months full-time equivalent) under ophthalmologic supervision within 12 months prior to submitting your application.

THIS LONG INTRODUCTION is to give you a little history about how much goes on before a technician receives his or her certification. Like those who have gone before them, we salute and hold in high esteem our newest JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant! Your updated name tag is on the way with well-earned initials, C.O.A. after your name!

This September and October we are excited to welcome back artist Robert Ruth.

Robert Ruth’s pen and ink drawings are primarily a style called pointillism. Combining this style with a few delicate lines, Robert renders his subjects with precision and loving care.

Once an original is completed, Robert creates black and white limited edition prints on 100% rag, neutral PH balanced paper. The quality of this stock is meant to give a lifetime of viewing enjoyment with no worries of the life expectancy of the print.

To make a black and white print come alive with color, Robert then hand colors it with watercolor. The print then becomes a unique piece of art, an “ORIGINAL PRINT” that is signed and numbered – a valuable addition to any art collection.

Family and friends are welcome from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the entrance to The Harman Eye Clinic.

Over the past twenty years we have listened closely to the needs of our patients and responded accordingly. We daily raise our service IQ to improve on service based on patient recommendations.

Recently we found that by utilizing emails and texting and a company called Demandforce, we can communicate at a faster and more realistic rate. Our patients have been empowered to tell us, both in a private survey and in a public review, how we can improve, and they are now advocates for excellence. Our patients lead the way to bringing the best in eye surgery to future patients.

Our doctors and staff are grateful for all those who have taken time to review their experience each time they are here. Thank you!

Are you a candidate for LASIK vision correction? Refractive Eye Surgery is for patients with healthy eyes. Here are four questions that will help you determine your eligibility:

1) Are you able to see close to 20/20 with glasses? If answer is yes, then you may be a good candidate so far! (If no, read the last paragraph).

2) Do you consider your vision to be normal with the exception of glasses? If you answered yes you may be a good candidate so far! (If no, read the last paragraph)

3) Do you have any history of serious eye disease: glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retina surgery? Yes, you are probably not a good candidate and read the last paragraph.

4) Have you ever worn contact lenses? Yes, you will need to be out of your contact lenses for 2 weeks for soft lenses, and a minimum of 2 weeks for hard contacts plus additional weeks for each decade you have worn contacts, before you come in for a dilated evaluation appointment. You could come in for an initial evaluation to meet your surgeon and receive motivation to stay out of your lenses!

5) Females: Are you pregnant? Yes, you are probably not a good candidate until nursing has stopped. Your vision may change during your pregnancy and the calculations for surgery will not be accurate for the long-term. It is far better to wait.

LASIK is designed with a healthy eye in mind. This surgery will not improve poor vision and could potentially make your present condition worse. It may help you to discuss with your eye doctor further reasons why LASIK may not be for you. We hope these comments have been helpful. Your comments are welcome.

You may have felt the lively, enthused energy rising from the city of Arlington. We have been celebrating the well-deserved retirement of Dr. Lee Harman who has turned over the reigns to Dr. Bruce Ballon. now President/CEO of The Harman Eye Clinic, and Dr. Bruce Wietharn, now Vice President.

Dr. Ballon and Dr. Wietharn are getting ready to welcome Dr. Bajenova’s arrival on July 18th. Diligent planning has led to a confident outcome. Our surgeons are ready to serve patients for:

We are providers for most all insurance plans, including the following:

Group Health

Community Health

Medicare and Medicaid/DSHS

Molina

SoundPath Health

Our website, www.20Better.com, now has a patient portal. Patients can register directly from our website and request their appointment. And, each Referring Doctor can have a portion of the “cloud” on our server to safely exchange pre- and post-operative patient information. A quick phone call to our office and we’ll set it up for you.

Let us know if there are any other ways we can better serve you. We appreciate the trust you place in our surgeons and staff.